JOE427's Blog

WHERE ARE YOU ?

After this manner therefore pray !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, etc. This prayer begins where all true prayer must commence, with the spirit
of adoption, "Our Father." There is no acceptable prayer until we can
say, "I will arise, and go unto my Father." This child-like spirit soon
perceives the grandeur of the Father "in heaven," and ascends to devout
adoration, "Hallowed be Thy name." The child
lisping, "Abba, Father," grows into the cherub crying, "Holy, Holy,
Holy." There is but a step from rapturous worship to the glowing
missionary spirit, which is a sure outgrowth of filial love and reverent
adoration--"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven." Next follows the heartfelt expression of dependence upon
God--"Give us this day our daily bread." Being further illuminated THE
OUR FATHERby the Spirit, he discovers that he is not only dependent, but
sinful, hence he entreats for mercy, "Forgive us our debts as we
forgive our debtors:" and being pardoned, having the righteousness of
Christ imputed, and knowing his acceptance with God, he humbly
supplicates for holy perseverance, "Lead us not into temptation." The
man who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend again; the
possession of justification leads to an anxious desire for
sanctification. "Forgive us our debts," that is justification; "Lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," that is sanctification
in its negative and positive forms. As the result of all this, there
follows a triumphant ascription of praise, "Thine is the kingdom, the
power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen." We rejoice that our King
reigns in providence and shall reign in grace, from the river even to
the ends of the earth, and of His dominion there shall be no end. Thus
from a sense of adoption, up to fellowship with our reigning Lord, this
short model of prayer conducts the soul. Lord, teach us thus to pray. 6:26 Your heavenly Father. God's people are doubly His children, they are His offspring by
creation, and they are His sons by adoption in Christ. Hence they are
privileged to call Him, "Our Father which art in heaven." Father! Oh,
what precious word is that. Here is authority: "If I be a Father, where
is mine honour?" If ye be sons, where is your obedience? Here is
affection mingled with authority; an authority which does not provoke
rebellion; an obedience demanded which is most cheerfully
rendered--which would not be withheld even if it might. The obedience
which God's children yield to Him must be loving obedience. Do not go
about the service of God as slaves to their taskmaster's toil, but run
in the way of His commands because it is your Father's way. Yield your
bodies as instruments of righteousness, because righteousness is your
Father's will, and His will should be the will of His child.
Father!--Here is a kingly attribute so sweetly veiled in love, that the
King's crown is forgotten in the King's face, and His sceptre becomes,
not a rod of iron, but a silver sceptre of mercy--the sceptre indeed
seems to be forgotten in the tender hand of Him who wields it.
Father!--Here is honour and love. How great is a Father's love to his
children! That which friendship cannot do, and mere benevolence will not
attempt, a father's heart and hand must do for his sons. They are his
offspring, he must bless them; they are his children, he must show
himself strong in their defence. If an earthly father watches over his
children with unceasing love and care, how much more does our heavenly
Father? Abba, Father! He who can say this, hath uttered better music
than cherubim or seraphim can reach. There is heaven in the depth of
that word--Father! There is all I can ask; all my necessities can
demand; all my wishes can desire. I have all in all to all eternity when
I can say, "Father."